King Cove is a remarkably beautiful community nestled between numerous volcanoes. However, it is often plagued by gale force winds or fog. It can be a life-threatening situation for people needing to access major medical facilities in Anchorage via Cold Bays all-weather airport during medical emergencies. Since 1979, eleven people have died after flying in this flight corridor during questionable weather.

In 1998, a similar effort with considerably less land was proposed as part of the exchange leading to a right-of-way road between King Cove and Cold Bay. It was rejected after conservation groups lobbied against it. As a compromise, Congress appropriated $37.5 million under the King Cove Health and Safety Act for improvements to the King Cove medical clinic, airport and a road/marine transportation system link between the two cities. However, the small community is unable to attract doctors with the skill level needed to handle emergencies. A multi-million dollar hovercraft was also purchased to ferry residents to the Cold Bay airport. But studies show the Aleutians East Borough, the owner of the craft, cannot financially support the hovercraft over the long term and doesnt have a large enough population base to support it. According to the report, the annual deficit would amount to more than $500,000.